Structure

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Beginning 

The exposition introduces Nancy, the main character of “Born Again”. (p. 76, ll. 1-6). The exposition mentions Nancy having “everything under control, but not yet” (p. 76, l. 3), which suggests that her life is not what she wants it t…

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Middle 

In the rising action, people on the street seem to start avoiding Nancy (p. 76, ll. 21-24). This foreshadows that something unusual might be going on with her. Tension increases when Nancy notices she is being followed by a man armed with a knife and reaches a high point when the man attacks her after calling her “ ‘Abomination! Queen of the Bitches! Whore of Babylon!’ ” (p. 77, l. 21). The mention of the “Whore of Babylon” is another foreshadowing element, as Nancy’s baby is believed to bring the end of the world.

Tension gradually increases again at the hospital, when Nancy realizes that she is pregnant, although she has not been sexually active in years (p. 79, ll. 34-35). A small external conflict is created between Nancy and the medical staff by the doctor refusing to believe her and the nurse trying to get Nancy to change her mind about the abortion. Tension increases a few times more as Nancy is attacked while on her way to the abortion clinic (p. 81, ll. 9-11; p. 82, ll. 9-12). Tension drops as these attempts at Nancy’s …